Vis Diving Spots

Kamulce

dive site type: naturedifficulty: easydepth range: 0-40 mdistance from the diving center: 3 nmshort characteristic: a slope with huge, colourful, rocks between which divers can swim and look for various benthic (nocturnal as well) organisms

The westernmost part of the peninsula of Kabal is the steepest, and the slopes continue under the water, creating interesting dive spots. One of these is called Kamulce. The name was given by the divers from Nautica Hvar Dive Centre and in translation to English it means big stones. Looking on the emerged part only, it is easy to guess, where does the name come from. Adding a fact, that the sea level of the Adriatic Sea rose significantly just 11 000 years ago, what in geological timescale means nothing, the divers can easily predict the underwater relief – unchanged, just flooded. That is one of the characteristics of the Dalmatian Coast – sea levels rose, filling with water the valleys between the hills, that are now the channels between the islands.

Kamulce is a great natural dive site with lots of life. The rocky slope extends from the surface to a depth of more or less 40 m BSL. The diving in this place is usually drift and starts in a small cove on the northwest end of the dive site. In the very beginning the divers swim among big stones. In here the depth of 40 m might be reached, but the most interesting part of the dive site is located at a depth of about 20 m, where the rocks are the biggest and some of them are entwined by the remains of fishing nets. The rocks are covered by different sponges and bryozoa (moss animals). With every minute of a dive, the stones are getting smaller. After more or less 20 minutes it is recommended to keep the depth of about 10 m to take advantage of the southeast exposure of the slope and beauty of the sunbeams likely to be observed under the water.

Usually during a single dive on Kamulce everyone has a chance to find a dozen or so octopuses, sea slugs, crustaceans and various fish. Nevertheless the majority of encountered organisms is usually hiding during the days under the stones, becoming active only at nights. That is why the night dives are often organised in this place. In such case usually the eastern part of the dive site is explored and the boat is being moored in a cove located between Kamulce and Stepenice. This bay is perfect place not for the night dives only, but also for the beginners. With fields of yellow sponges at a depth of about 5 m and sandy plains ideal for buoyancy exercises, it can surprise divers by the variety of sea life. It here, where seahorses, small congers and fun-loving cuttlefishes are commonly seen.